I Want Wolfie to Stop Jumping on My Friends

I just dont get it.  Wolfie seems to be such a good dog, but I cant keep him from jumping on my guests every time they come in the front door.  It was cute when he was a puppy, but now he is over 100 lbs.  What gives?

This is a classic "annoying problem" that, unfortunately, we bring on ourselves.  It is so great when you get your little puppy.  They are so full of life and just wanting affection all day long.  We have them jump on us and we give them hugs, chase them around the room, play with them when they bring us toys, pet them when they nudge our hands, and a whole lot of other "puppy things".

The problem is that we are now socializing them to particular behaviors.  We are teaching them how to jump, chase, and demand attention.  The problem is that Wolfie learns in a very black and white method.  If we teach him to jump, it is OK to jump on everybody all the time.  If we teach him to demand attention, he can demand attention from everybody all the time.

As we interact with our puppies or dogs, we must understand that whatever we ask them to do, from their perspective, they can do with anyone all the time.  "Wolfie can jump on me, but not my guests" is something that we might be able to understand, but Wolfie will not understand.  All Wolfie can understand is "I can jump".  So if Wolfie is performing any action that you would not allow him to perform anytime with anybody, you must teach him that is not what you want him to do.

The bottom line is to think of your rules, or what you want Wolfie to do through his eyes. Examples of what your rules might be are:

• No jumping.
• Off the furniture.
• Not in babys room.
• No counter surfing...

When things are simple and straightforward, Wolfie gets it.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Why Wolfie Has a Hard Time Learning

I just dont know what is going on!  Everyone can teach their dogs stuff and all I want Wolfie to do is to come to me.  I say "come" and he doesnt come.  I say "come" and he doesnt come.  I yell "COME" and he walks away.  What gives?  Why cant I teach Wolfie anything?  Cant Wolfie learn?

The answer is, of course, Wolfie can learn.  Just about all dogs can learn.  The problem is that we dont understand how to teach Wolfie.  The good news is that the answer is really simple.

Just like people, some dogs are smarter than others.  Just like people, all dogs have different prior life and learning experiences before their first day of class.  Just like people, students have different levels of respect and obedience towards their teacher.

On "Day One" of teaching Wolfie anything, we first have to understand where he has the ability to learn the lesson we are about to teach.  To do this, we have to determine "where he gets it" and "where he doesnt get it".  This will determine where we begin.  This is very similar as a child going to a new school and the principle determining which grade that student should enter.  

In this example, I will use the simple command of "Come" to determine where I should start to teach Wolfie...

First, I have to pick a base point to see if Wolfie already understands the command.  I stand about six feet away from Wolfie, go down low and say "Come".  I now watch to see what Wolfie does.  He doesnt do a thing and just sits there.  I will try once more.  I get down low and say "Come" with the same response.  This tells me that this is too advanced for Wolfie and have to drop down a grade.

I now put a leash on Wolfie so that I can help to show and guide him when I ask him to come from six feet.  I go down low again and say "Come".  This time I give the leash a very slight, brief tug in my direction.  Wolfie now begins to walk towards me.  As he slows, I give the leash a very slight, brief tug again to encourage him to continue to walk to me.  He reaches me and I give him a big "Good Wolfie!".  I now know where I can start teaching him.  

I continue the process with the leash until I no longer have to guide him with the slight tug.  From this point, I can continue the learning process by increasing the distance between Wolfie and myself.

As you can see, once I find the place where Wolfie is able to learn, his ability to grasp the lesson will progress rapidly.  This will work with any lesson you want to teach Wolfie.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Adult Dog Training 3 Ways to stop Jumping Up

Adult Dog Training - 3 Ways to stop Jumping Up

So youve been given or have aquired somehow, an adult dog.
Often a big problem can be jumping up.

Dogs are extremely sociable creatures and want to see your face or be where you are.
Jumping can simply be a way to get closer to the face.

There are 3 good ways to stop jumping up that I am going to address;

1. The Preventing Knee


As your dog is just about to jump up, put your knee up to stop them. This makes it uncomfortable for them and teaches them that this is not a good idea.
This is NOT my favourite. I have a large Bullmastiff puppy and when I tried this...well, I have some scars on my legs you wouldnt believe.
Not a practical method for big dogs !

2. The Spray

This method entails having a spray cannister filled with either water or a water / vinegar mix.
It is best to use this with a word such as "
OFF !".
A 5 minute session with this each day may be all your dog needs to associate the unpleasant spray with the word OFF and the fact that these come when he jumps up.
Thos method does work well except on those dogs who literally go balistic when you spray them. My Bullmastiff runs around the house like a crazy dog when she gets sprayed...not good for an almost 100lb dog !

3. The Lead technique

By far my favourite so far.
This one just needs you to put the dogs lead on. Where the lead runs from the neck and touches the ground, step on it (the lead not the dog..). This makes it impossible for the dog to jump.
Remember to praise extensively when your dog doesnt try to jump.

One last word;
Dogs are gamblers. Often if you can carry treats around with you and treat when they have done very well, the dog will remember that this happens and gamble on you having treats !

Good Luck !

Lincoln

Adult Dog Training

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Learn the Unbelievable Secrets to Dog Training with Dog Learning Pro

Cut your dog training in half. Learn how to stop your dogs bad behavior! Learn the Unbelievable Secrets to Dog Training with Dog Learning Pro.

Check it out!

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Adult Dog Training

Adult Dog Training

When you adopt or are given an adult dog you must remember that old adage is NOT TRUE !
You can teach an old dog new tricks !!
In fact it is essential that you start teaching your new adult dog commands in order to have him become a happy healthy member of your family.

Essential to your adult dogs health and well being is obedience training.

This is the first thing I will focus on as quite simply, it can mean the difference between life and death for your best friend.

Your first consideration in training your dog should be respect for cars.
Thousands of dogs each year escape from their yards, get off their leash or are frightened from their home. A huge number of these dogs encounter busy roads.

If your dog has no respect for cars they can be hit in a split second. Imagine then if their collar had come off, you hadnt had them microchipped and they break a leg.
The pound or SPCA in this case will euthanise them.

Sounds extreme, but this happens thousands of times a year in single cities alone !

You dont need to go to a special "dog school" or takes hours a day.
Try a reliable program such as : SIT STAY FETCH

In 10-15 minutes a day YOU can be responsible for eliminating any problems youre newly adopted adult dog may have.

Another outstanding source of information is : Dog Training Mastery - An Owners Manual.

More from me Later,
Lincoln.

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Meet Karai Learning to be a Service Dog

Hello Fellow Leapers,

Please meet Karai! This sweet, young puppy is learning her basic obedience with Leap Dog Training en route to being a good service dog for her little, and also very young, guardian. She will be going through her AKC STAR Puppy curriculum, plus more!

So far, she has learned her name, loose leash walking, beginning heel, lay down, and stay. Thats a lot, isnt it? Shes barely 4 months old! Good Job, Karai! We will be working more with this great, young lady in the future and stay posted to her training updates.

Love, LEAP!

Wish her good luck!

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